With recent forecasts indicating by 2020 over half of Northern Ireland’s workforce will require higher level skills, particularly in STEM related disciplines*, it is vital that students are properly informed of all the career options available to them, says ACCA.

According to the most recent Employer Skills Survey, 19% of vacancies here in Northern Ireland are caused by skills shortages and this proportion fluctuates across the region from 15% in Belfast to 30% in the North West.

Clodagh Hegarty, Chairman of the ACCA Ulster Members’ Network, is reminding young people in Northern Ireland receiving A–Level and GCSE results over the next two weeks, to carefully consider the broad range of career options available, including the number of pathways into skilled employment and professional career focused alternatives. 

Commenting Clodagh said, “Exam results time can be a worrying period for students, teachers, parents and guardians and it is crucial that young people are equipped with the knowledge and understanding to make informed decisions about their next steps.”

“Working within the accountancy sector both at a professional level with ACCA and from an educational perspective, I know first–hand that young people are faced with tough decisions about what to do next.  Some are fortunate to know what their next steps are when it comes to education, training or stepping onto the career ladder.” 

“For students who didn’t get the grades or points specified in their conditional university offer, there are opportunities to seek professional career advice from a number of sources including UCAS, the universities, or the professional bodies. 

“However, full time education is not the right approach for everyone and there are a number of options available such as the ACCA qualification, part time courses in the universities, BTECs, apprenticeships or other forms of vocational learning and training. 

“For those interested in accountancy or the financial sector, the ACCA professional qualification offers globally transferable skills and prepares its students for the world of work. It also offers flexible study options including full–time, part–time, online, evening, weekend and distance learning courses.  Students who have obtained two A–Levels and three GCSEs, including Maths and English, are already on the path to becoming an accountant and can use their A–Levels and GCSEs as a stepping stone to a professional qualification.”

Clodagh concluded, “With skills shortages threatening business growth it is crucial that we retain a talented workforce in Northern Ireland and equip our young people with the essential skills and knowledge required to fulfil the demands of employers.”

ENDs 

Notes to Editors

*Success through Skills (Department for Employment & Learning)

For further information please contact Shane Finnegan or Katrina Frazer at Aiken on 028 90 66 3000.

About ACCA

ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is the global body for professional accountants. It offers business–relevant, first–choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management. 

ACCA supports its 178,000 members and 455,000 students in 181 countries, helping them to develop successful careers in accounting and business, with the skills required by employers. ACCA works through a network of 95 offices and centres and more than 7,110 Approved Employers worldwide, who provide high standards of employee learning and development. Through its public interest remit, ACCA promotes appropriate regulation of accounting and conducts relevant research to ensure accountancy continues to grow in reputation and influence. 

Founded in 1904, ACCA has consistently held unique core values: opportunity, diversity, innovation, integrity and accountability. It believes that accountants bring value to economies in all stages of development and seek to develop capacity in the profession and encourage the adoption of global standards. ACCA’s core values are aligned to the needs of employers in all sectors and it ensures that through its range of qualifications, it prepares accountants for business. ACCA seeks to open up the profession to people of all backgrounds and remove artificial barriers, innovating its qualifications and delivery to meet the diverse needs of trainee professionals and their employers. More information is here: www.accaglobal.com